WHEN and how the transition of power from Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad to Anwar Ibrahim will take place will be among the questions asked in the parliamentary session which opens tomorrow.

The question from Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Abdul Karim of PKR is No. 18 on the Order of Business on April 4.

In the list of questions for the coming session sighted by The Malaysian Insight, Hassan asked Dr Mahathir if the process of handing over power to his successor would be conducted in a smooth and organised manner.

“It’s true. That is a question which I have submitted. We will wait and see what the prime minister answers,” Hassan said.

If the question comes up in the sitting, Hassan will also be able to ask a supplementary question, and it will also open up an opportunity for other MPs to ask questions on the subject.

If it does not, the prime minister will answer the Pasir Gudang MP in a written reply.

Hassan said there are too many rumours and conspiracy theories surrounding the PM’s succession that could affect the stability of the Pakatan Harapan administration.

“I hope for the transition process to be carried out smoothly and in an organised manner, which is why I have forwarded a question to Parliament which I hope will be listed during Question Time.

“We want the prime minister himself to address it in Parliament and not at any ceramah or other events,” he said.

Hassan said his intention is to give the prime minister the opportunity to clarify his plans for the handing over of power in an official setting.

“Speaking in Parliament means one cannot lie or resort to politicking because Parliament is a platform for drafting legislation. That is my intention because everyone already knows there is a written agreement made before the general election regarding the transition of power.”

Hassan said the transfer of power should occur as smoothly as when Barisan Nasional lost power in GE14.

“We praised the smooth transition of power when Barisan Nasional lost GE14 to Pakatan Harapan because it was conducted in an orderly manner, without chaos. The people liked it and the world praised it.

“Now we want the same thing for (the transition of power from) the seventh prime minister to the eighth. We don’t want any tension and misunderstanding.

“If this issue can be explained openly at an appropriate platform, the government can then move on to focus on social economic and policy issues.”

Last month, PAS secretary general Takiyuddin Hassan said two component parties of Pakatan Harapan, PKR and DAP, were plotting to oust Dr Mahathir by pushing forward a vote of no-confidence in the coming parliamentary session.

Takiyuddin said the Islamist party would back the Bersatu chairman in the event.

The lower house of Parliament will sit for 20 days until April 11 while the Dewan Negara will sit for 12 days from April 22 to May 9. – March 10, 2019.